Tag Archives: turquoise

Design Style: Retro Design

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With the popularity of television shows like “Madmen” there has been a resurgence of interest in decorating trends from the 1950′s through the  early sixties.  If you are fortunate enough to live in a mid-century style home you are already familiar with soaring windows and Eames furniture.  However, there are some style elements of this period that can be used in any home to add just a touch of retro design.  For example:

  • Turquoise has already been named the  2010 color of the year by Pantone and it was certainly popular in the early sixties.  It is possible to find mixing bowls, toasters and other kitchen items in this color as well as other colors of the time including yellow, red and pink.  Look for it in dishware also.  Remember melamine dishes?
  • Low slung Danish modern furniture was popular during this time period.  Upholster your chairs in a white, green or turqoise vinyl to really stay true to the period.  For more information and to purchase vinyl suitable for upholstery, visit our site at www.onlinefabricstore.net.
  • Fabrics were bright and colorful and featured large floral and fern patterns as well as some  prints with sputnik and other “spacey” designs.  Remember, it was 1961 when we first placed a man on the moon and space was a new territory.  Pop art patterns were also used to add a bright and modern touch to interior spaces.
  • Popular colors included orange (popular again now), turquoise (need I say more about this color?) and mint green.  Neutrals were also used in combinations that included chocolate brown and turquoise (there it is again), fuchsia or various shades of green.

Things changed in 1963 with the assassination of our President and the turmoil that followed.  Design styles changed and flower power and hippie style moved in as young America turned on and tuned out.  But true retro design includes furniture, fabric and accessories from 1950-1963.  So have fun and relive childhood memories through the use of colors and shapes from this decorating era.

Accessory Trends for 2010

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Just as designers and retailers attend “market” twice a year to view the latest collection of furniture and fabrics, they also attend the International Gift Fair (IGF) held in several cities across the nation.  The recent gift fair in NY disclosed several  accessory trends that you can expect to see in the upcoming months.

  • The green movement is alive and well in the accessory market.  Natural wood and organic shapes continue to be popular.  We are moving away from dark, heavy stains and seeing more wood in its natural, unstained form. Other sustainable materials are popular including cork and bamboo found in everything from candles to placemats to wall art.
  • Mixed metals is a popular trend.  This look combines a shiny smooth metal with a matte or textured finish or it combines two different metals like silver and bronze.  You will see this combination in candlesticks, bowls, vases, picture frames and lamps.  The mixture of metals makes it easy to introduce a new piece into your home without worrying about whether it “matches” or not.
  • The ethnic look has been around for a couple of years now.  The goal is to create a room that appears to be decorated with items collected from travels around the world. This would include pillows made from ethnic fabrics like suzanni or Ikat.  Animal figurines, statuary, carved candlesticks, woven baskets, in fact anything that appears to be handcrafted, will complete the look.  Lanterns and exotic mosaics will add an adventurous and ethnic feel to your rooms.
  • Turquoise is certainly the color of the year but it can also be found in accessories.  A bowl of turquoise stones in their natural form, a turquoise lamp base, even pretty hand soaps can all be found in this color thought to have healing qualities.

Accessorizing with the latest in trendy items is an affordable way to update your home for a season or the entire year without breaking the bank.

Colors for Home Decorating: Turquoise

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If you enjoy looking through design magazines or roaming through fabric stores you are probably aware that the newest color trend in interior design is Turquoise.  This is not the turquoise associated with the southwestern look so popular in the eighties.  There is no hint of mauve anywhere! 

Ancient indian tribes believed that turquoise had healing powers, making it a very valuable stone.  In interior design it is often associated with the ocean and colors of beach glass, the sky and the water.  Today’s turquoise is a softer version of blue that ranges from greenish teal to a soft baby blue turquoise making it possible to use this color in most design schemes.

Last year’s “trend” color was yellow and it mixes beautifully with any shade of turquoise.  A bright yellow combined with a cheery and bright turquoise is what is most expected.  But imagine a soft shade of yellow mixed with  turquoise featuring hints of teal and gray; add mercury glass lamp bases and you have created a sophisticated, soothing and serene master bedroom that will be in style for many years to come even though you have used a “trendy” color.

Nothing is more refreshing than crisp white combined with turquoise.  Dark wood furniture will anchor the whole color scheme and create a modern breakfast room in any home.

Just because a color is considered trendy, do not be afraid to use it.  You can use it sparingly in accents and accesssories or you can choose a shade of a trendy color that will be in style for many years to come.